Parallel ruler



sept. 21 1926.

N. P. REHNQVIST ?ARALLEL RULER Filed March 12. 1923 Patented Sept. 2l, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.;

NILS PAUL REHNQVIST, 0F NORRKOPIN'G, SWEDEN.

PARALLEL RULER.

Application filed March 12,` 1923, Serial N'o. 624,310, and in Sweden Marchvll, 1922.

This invention relates to an arrangement of parallel rulers to make possible an alternate movement of the twosingle rulersin relation to each other so that one of the rulers during the ruling may be moved stepwise after the vother over the surface on which the lines are to be drawn in order to luse the parallel ruler for doublel and column ruling etc., whereby the length of the steps determines the distance between the lines.

A parallel ruler according to this invention is shown in the accompanying' drawing, Fig. 1 shows a plan view and Fig. 2 an'end view, whereas Figs. 3 5 are sections on the lines A-A, B-B andV C-C respectively of Fig. 1 the sections being seen in the directions of the arrows.

The two single rulers 1, 2 are movably attached to each other by means of links 3 in the shape of pairs of scissors arranged in longitudinal grooves in the rulers 1 and 2 respectively. The arrangement of these links naturally makes it possible to move the rullers towards and away from each other 'parallel with themselves and the ruler 2 is normally held in close proximity to the ruler 1 by means of the retractile springs 15 connected to the links 3, as will be later described.

In column ruling it is necessary for the attainment of swiftness and precision in the work that oneof the single rulers may be moved stepwise after the other whereby the steps are given a definitely fixed length so that either all the steps becomes the same length or that the steps are arranged in groups, which between themselves are eXactly equal, but in which groups the steps have diiierent lengths in-order to attain suitable different widths of for example the dollar-, centand date columns. The following arrangement Shows a parallel ruler for accomplishing this purpose.

In a plate 5 fastened to the ruler 1 are made grooves 6 running in the crosswise or transverse direction of the ruler and at the side of each groove is a scale graduated in m. m. or in any other suitable unit of measure. In the groove 6 runs the free upturned end of an arm 7 the opposite end of which is formed into a slide 8, which is slidable in the crosswise or transverse direction of the ruler in guiding grooves 9 in a plate 10 on the opposite ruler 2. The movement of the slide in one direction is limited by a wall 11.

For the adjustment of the rulers l and 2 relative to each other along the scale, the arm 7 may be formed into or provided with an index movable along the scale. Itis howp evermore suitable to arrange in the groove 14 may be fastened in any' place inthe` groove. .Bypmea'ns of this shoulder, with which the bent up part of the arm 7 is adapted to cooperate, is iiXed the length of the movement of the arm 7 respective of the-v ruler 2. The parallel ruler is used in the following manner.

After one line is draw-n by means of vthev ruler 1 said ruler is held firmly in its position while the operator with one inger presses against the turned up end of one of the arms 7 and thereby pushes the other ruler 2 away from the lirst one against the tension of the springs 15 and as far'as the shoulder 12 associated with said arm ermits, which shoulder 12 by means of the scale isadjusted in advance for a certain column width. Afterwards the ruler 1 is pushed beside the other ruler and a new line is drawn. It the distance between said line andthe following line be unchanged the ruler 2 is again moved by the same arm. If on the contrary the distance is to be altered the ruler 2 is moved by a dierent arm 7 the shoulder 12 of which is adjusted for ar longer movement of the arm counted 'from its initial position. The new movement can take place without hindrance from the iirst used arm,7 since the ruler has a movement relative to said arm. The length of the second movement obviously corresponds with the dilierence between the distances of the two shoulders from the zero graduations. It the rulers are to be moved a third step of a different length from the two previous lengths the third arm 7 with the shoulder 12 adjusted after the new distance is used. In Fig. 1 the parallel ruler is arranged Jfor two column widths. It is evident that the ruler may be provided with any other number of grooves, arms 7 and shoulders 12 according to the number of column widths to be used. In order to -make the ruler 1 move automatically toward the ruler 2 and normally maintaining said rulers in close proximity, there is arranged between the respective slide 4. and the opposite end wall in the gro-ove in which said slide is mounted, the retractile spring 15 previously referred to. The

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springs may also be arrange-d directly between the two rulers l and 2.

As may be understood by the vforegoing, the essential feature according to this invention is the arrangement to make possible a stepwise movement of one of the single rulers in relation to the other and a changing of the length of the steps. It is evident that the arrangeme-nt may be altered in many ways vwithin the yscope Vof the i'nven tion to attain the above mentioned purpose. y aving now described my -iI'-1ventio n, what I claim as new and desire -to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1, An instrument of the character described, in'cluding parallel rulers, means for connecting 'the sa'I'r-i'e to permit of transverse movements relative to each other, a plate carried by one of said rulers and having a pluralitykof slots therein, and sliding memn bers` carried by the otherV ruler capable of moving the latter ruler relative to the first named ruler, and having vportions engageable Vand movable in the slots of said plate respectivelyl and forming inger grips for 'sa-id members.

2. An instrument of the character described, including parallel rulers, means for connecting the same to permit of transverse movements relative to each other, a plate carried by one of said rulers 'and having a plurality of slots therein, sliding members carried by the other ruler capable of moving the latter ruler relative to the rst named ruler, and having portions engageable and movable in the slots of said plate respectively and' 'forming finger grips for said members, 'and a stop member adjustable llongi-tudinally ci? each' of said slots and engageable by Ithe portion of the sliding member movable in the associated slot to limit 'the 'movement of said member when the same is caused to 'move said other ruler.

In witness whereof, I have lvhereunto signed my nam e NILS PAUL REHNQVST. 

